My nerves seem so unwarranted now, and I actually feel comfortable in Lucy’s presence. At least, until I excuse myself to use the restroom and hear Lucy tell Dylan to listen out for her food. She’s coming with me. Girl code for “let’s have a private chat.” I run through thetalkpossibilities as we walk slowly toward the back of the café. Does she want to warn me to stay away from Dylan? She and Dylan are obviously close, and she kinda gives off a protective vibe, so that could be the case. Not knowing how much she knows about us leaves me at a disadvantage. Maybe she’ll tell me I’m not good enough for him. It would definitely make sense.
When we enter the ladies’ room, Lucy ducks into a stall.Or maybe she actually just needed to pee.Here’s hoping. We dry our hands and are heading for the door when she says, “So…”Dammit…almost in the clear. Here it comes.“I don’t mean to be so forward, but I think you need to drop the friends act you and Dylan have going on. Especially after what happened the other night.”Ugh…I inwardly groan. Turns out, she knows a lot.
“I…I’m sorry.” I stumble over my own words. “That’s not. It was only once. I know he deserves someone better. I—”
“Wait. What?” she asks as her smile disappears.
God, this is awkward.“Um, the friend thing is not an act. The other won’t happen again. He deserves…”
“I know what you said, but why? Summer, I meant that you should betogether, notfriends. I think it’s obvious to everyone,but you, that you’re perfect for each other.”
“What?”
“Dylan is adamant in saying you’re just friends, but it’s clear that you two have something, and I’ve only been watching you for thirty minutes. You may not realize this, but he’s different around you—more comfortable, more at home.”
I clench my fists subtly, digging my nails into my palms as I try to figure out how to reply.Was that really how we came off?
As if sensing my unease, Lucy continues.“I’m sorry, it’s just Dylan doesn’t realize it, but he’s always had a wall up when it comes to women. The wall is nonexistent with you. I can tell from the way he talks about you, looks at you, acts around you. I just want him to be happy.”
I feel the heat rising from my chest to my face and give her a quick nod and what I hope is a smile.
She gives me a sympathetic smile in return as we make our way back to Dylan. He stands as we approach, holding Lucy’s food order, and thankfully, he and Lucy walk ahead of me toward the exit, allowing me to take a few deep breaths to shake off my rising panic.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Summer
There’ssilenceonthedrive home, and I’m ninety percent sure it’s not just me who doesn’t know what to say. It’s obvious that Dylan knows something is up, and I have to wonder if he’s nervous to ask. We’re pulling up to a red light when I blurt, “You know you’re free to date, right?” My chest tightens as the words leave my mouth, but I ignore it.
Dylan taps the brake accidentally, propelling us forward in our seats, and half laughs, looking at me like I’m being ridiculous. I rub my chest where the seat belt locked and meet his stare. Whatever he sees must convince him I’m serious because his brows furrow before he nods and starts driving again. “I do now.”
I gulp as the pain in my chest intensifies.Wow, the seat belt really did a number on me. Yep, that’s what I’m telling myself.When I hear the ding of a text, I almost drop the phone for how quickly I retrieve it from my bag.
“It’s Cory. They’re all at Reilly’s. Want to go?” It’s just hit eleven, still plenty of time to dance my troubles away, and God knows I need the distraction.
“Yeah, Joel mentioned it. That works for me.”Huh? When did Joel mention it? Dylan hasn’t been on his phone for hours. I shrug to myself and stare out the window, breathing in the thick awkward air I created, as we head toward our new destination.
We’ve been here for an hour, and I’m already significantly buzzed. The type of alcohol high that makes everything okay. This is my favorite place to be, but it’s a sweet spot—hard to find and even harder to keep. A bead of sweat runs down my back from the amount of time I’ve spent squashed between bodies on the dance floor. Cory, who is equally buzzed, has been faithfully by my side. The only difference between the two of us is that she’s been solo or with Nate, whereas I’ve had a revolving door of dance partners. My current partner, let’s call him Hottie, is another perfect stranger. His dirty-blond hair looks like it was styled into that bedhead look, and his body feels toned beneath my fingers—not to mention he’s very easy on the eyes in his ripped jeans and a tight tee.
For all intents and purposes, my mind should be on him. But I can’t keep my eyes from seeking Dylan out. Until this very moment, whenever I’ve looked his way, I’ve found him looking back at me. But now his attention is elsewhere, or specifically on a cute little brunette with perky tits and a tight butt. She laughs hysterically at something he says and slaps him in the chest, shamelessly flirting. He smiles down at her, and I cringe before looking away.I’m not jealous at all.
I mean, Iamthe one who told him to find someone else. Yet, right now, I want to go over there and rip the beautiful girl away from him. Must be the sweet spot I was talking about. The one that makes me throw all reason out the window.
Closing my eyes, I turn around and press my back into Hottie’s chest so that I’m no longer facing Dylan’s direction. His hands instantly grip my waist, pulling me closer, as I lift mine up and wrap them around his neck. When I finally open my eyes, I’m faced with a smirking Joel.
“Mind if I cut in?” he asks, loud enough to hear over the music. My eyes move between Joel and Hottie, thinking it through. I’ve already made up my mind that I’m not going home with this guy, but he sure is fun to dance with…and look at. Seeing my indecisiveness, Joel leans in closer so that only I can hear his next words. “We both know he’s not the guy you want.”
Ugh, he’s right, but I hate that he knows that. “Actually Joel, I’m good here,” I say, hoping to put an end to his train of thought. I turn back around to ignore him, but Hottie has other ideas.
“It’s okay, babe, I’m going to head to the bar. One dance and I’ll be back. You’re mine tonight.”Well, that’s a turnoff.I hate it when guys make assumptions like that. Just because we’re dancing doesn’t mean you get an automatic invite into my pants.
Left with no option, I turn back to Joel. “Fine, Joel, let’s dance.”
He spins me around so I’m forced to face Dylan again, and his lips pull into a grin. “So you’re going home with that guy, then?”
God, no.“Yep,” I say as my eyes move to Dylan without permission.
“And there’s no one else you’re interested in?”